Bhupen Hazarika’s 11th death anniversary; here are some facts about ‘Bard of Brahmaputra’

Today marks the 11th death anniversary of the Bard of Brahmaputra and Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika.  Fondly called Sudhakantha, Bhupen Hazarika is one of the most revered music artists

Today marks the 11th death anniversary of the Bard of Brahmaputra and Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika. 

Fondly called Sudhakantha, Bhupen Hazarika is one of the most revered music artists of the country.

Songs and poems are reverberating throughout the length and breadth of Assam as people are remembering the genius of the cultural icon.

People across Assam and India and beyond are hosting programmes today in remembrance of the Bard of Brahmaputra. 

Singnificantly, Bhupen Hazarika’s death anniversary will also be observed in Bangladesh. 

A programme has been organised in Dhaka under the initiative of Shilpakala Academy and Byatikram MASDO.

The Bharat Ratna recipient passed away on November 5, 2011 at the age of 85. 

Here are some facts about Dr Bhupen Hazarika:

Bhupen Hazarika’s first song: When he was still a teenager, he wrote his first song, which caught the attention of both artist Bishu Prasad Rabha and renowned Assamese lyricist Jyoti Prasad Agarwala. In 1936, Hazarika recorded his first song at the Aurora Studio for the Selona Company.

He became popular in the same after singing in the Assamese movie “Indramalati.”

Subsequently, Hazarika sang two songs in Agarwala’s film Indramalati (1939): Kaxote Kolosi Loi and Biswo Bijoyi Naujawan at the age of 12. 

Early life and education : Bhupen Hazarika was born on September 8, 1926 to Nilakanta and Shantipriya Hazarika in Assam’s Sadiya. 

Sonaram High School, Guwahati, Dhubri Government High School, and Tezpur High School were where he received his early schooling. He passed his matriculation exam from Tezpur High School in 1940.

He enrolled at the Banaras Hindu University in 1942 after passing his 10+2 exams from Cotton College. There, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 1944 and a Master of Arts (MA) in political science in 1946. 

In 1952, the legend obtained a PhD degree from Columbia University.

Bhupem Hazarika’s famous songs:

1. Bistirno Parore 
2. Moi Eti Jajabor 
3. Ganga Mor Maa 
4. Bimurto Mur Nixati Jen 
5. Manuhe Manuhor Babey 
6. Snehe Aamar Xoto Shrabonor
7. Gupute Gupute Kimaan Khelim 
8. Buku Hom Hom Kore 
9. Sagar sangamat
10. Shillongore Godhuli

Entering politics: The bard of Brahmaputra won the election for Assam Assembly in1967.

Personal life: Hazarika married Priyambada Patel while he was living in the US. However their marriage didn’t workout, they were an estranged couple.

He then met Kalpana Lajmi, who was his companion till he died.

The Bhupen Hazarika Bridge :The Bhupen Hazarika Bridge, also known to as the Dhola Sadiya Bridge, was built on the Lohit River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River, in honor of the legendary singer. It is India’s longest road bridge at 9150 meters.

National & State honours:

• Award for the Best Feature Film in Assamese (Shakuntala; Directed by Bhupen Hazarika) in the 9th National Film Awards (1961).
•  The Best Music Director National Award for “Chameli Memsaab” (Chameli Memsaab; music by Bhupen Hazarika) in the 23rd National Film Awards (1975).
• Padma Shri – the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India (1977) Gold medal from the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh for “outstanding contribution towards tribal welfare, and uplift of tribal culture through cinema and music.” (1979).
•  Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1987) Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1992) Padma Bhushan – the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India (2001).
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (2008) Asom Ratna — the highest civilian award in the State of Assam, India (2009).
•  Friends of Liberation War Honour, Government of Bangladesh (2011).
• Padma Vibhushan – the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India (2012, posthumous).
• Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the Republic of India (2019, posthumous).

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